learning to lead in a crisis
APRIL 28, 2020
BY: ALAN ELDRIDGE 19twenty
Strong leadership in any company is always a necessity, but during times of crisis, this need is compounded even further. One study by Health Advocate, Inc. revealed that daily stress leads to significant impacts in employee efficiency, costing the economy millions in decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. And that’s not including crisis situations.
The current Covid-19 pandemic is bringing immense challenges to both seasoned and new leadership in companies and organizations across the globe. The unprecedented situation brings a wealth of new issues, struggles, concerns, and dilemmas.
While much of what occurs during a crisis is beyond most people’s control, as a leader, whatever you are able to control can have a huge impact on the performance and efficiency of your team. During times such as these, it becomes clear just what makes a leader. Significant and focused efforts on your part include providing stability and routine, instilling confidence and consistency, and excelling in your communication.
Provide stability and routine for your team
What tends to cause panic during times of crisis is the uncertainty and change in everyday lives. As a leader, it’s crucial to find what elements of the business you can keep consistent, and what components need to be adjusted or changed.
Be firm, but flexible with establishing what routines will stay in place and what will need to be amended. Welcome and acknowledge feedback from your team, to show you are willing to take in their concerns and work accordingly. Make sure that what routines you do keep, you’re able to justify why that might be, and provide strong rationales for why other routines need to change.
As an example, things like emails and contacts might be better to keep within the regular work-hours. Sure, you can easily shoot an email on the weekend and it’s likely your team will be able to answer, but keeping that time as a designated work-free time also helps reinforce some sense of normalcy in everyday life.
Be a leader who helps instil confidence & promotes consistency
When you remain calm and focused as a leader, it makes it easier for your team to follow suit. You cannot be afforded the luxury or revealing stress, concern, or panic, as you’re the one others look to for guidance. You give them the confidence not only in you as their leader, but in themselves and in their ability to accomplish whatever tasks lay ahead of them.
While it’s important that you remain transparent with your team regarding the reality of certain situations, your fear and major concerns should not be outwardly apparent. Be positive, but realistic, and utilize language that encourages hope amongst your team.
If your team feels confident in you as a leader, and you demonstrate that you’re confident in their abilities during times of crisis, they are more likely to perform to the expectations that will lead to success. This allows them to feel engaged, and engaged employees are 21% more productive than those who aren’t as engaged.
Excel in your communications with your team
Stability, routine, and confidence by no means come without having clear, consistent, and effective communications across all platforms and in all areas of business. This is why, during periods of crisis, your communication to your team is of the utmost importance. In fact, improved communication and collaboration can increase productivity as much as 20-25%.
Failure to communicate with your team on key issues can quickly dissolve your leadership and the strength of your team. Here are some key reminders when it comes to communicating as a leader, especially when circumstances are out of the ordinary:
- Be clear and intentional in your language, whether verbal or written
- Predict possible questions or concerns regarding new communications, to cut issues off before they happen
- Be prepared for unexpected questions (even when you think you’ve predicted everything), and articulate the need for you to research and get back to your team before giving an answer
- Remain receptive to input from others, so they feel you’re listening to all angles and areas of concern
- Don’t put everything in an email- utilize digital formats for engaging in crucial conversations with video conferencing
All in all, there is no possible way to predict every scenario or outcome, and there is never a one-size-fits all answer for the numerous issues any leader might run into when there’s a crisis. Helping prepare yourself to handle whatever might be thrown your way demonstrates exactly why you are the one to lead your team, and that is just what your group needs to see.
For any support or guidance for you or your team please contact us at 19twenty.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Stay safe!
